Top Festivals of the planet |
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Festivals form an integral part of any culture or civilization and to learn about different cultures one way is to become part of their festivals and celebrations. Practically festivals are celebrated in each and every country on our planet and different festivals have different reasons majority of them have some religious angle. Major festivals are celebrated in every religion like Christmas, Diwali, Id and more, other than these and many more there are some unique and weird festivals which are celebrated around the planet. |
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La Tomatina Tomato Festival, Spain La Tomatina is the world's biggest tomato fight which takes place in the town of Buñol in Spain. The festival is celebrated every year on the last Wednesday in August, although the festivities start about a week earlier. Thousands of people head to Buñol for the festival swelling the population of the town many folds. The festival started in 1944-45 and no one is completely certain how this event originated although theories include a practical joke on a bad musician, a local food fight and more. More than one hundred metric tons of tomatoes are used in the world's biggest tomato fight. Holi, India Holi in India is the festivals of color and is celebrated across India with different names. The night before Holi Bonfires are lit which symbolizes burning of demoness Holika. The next day is celebrated as Rangapanchami or Holi when people celebrate the triumph of good over evil by throwing colored powder and colored water at each other. Holi is celebrated in the later part of February or March in accordance with the Hindu calendar. People consume bhang (a local cannabis plant) in liquid form and make merry with singing and dancing on this day. It is advisable to stay away from hardcore street celebrations especially single females because one can easily get mugged or harassed as everybody is high. One can take part in the festival with a local family or friend indoors. Love Parade, Germany The Love Parade was first held in 1989 in Berlin, Germany. It was held as a political demonstration for peace, tolerance and international understanding through love and Music. The festival was held from 1989 and 2003 and then from 2006 to 2008 in Berlin, Germany but sadly the organizers couldn’t raise the funds and the event was denied permission and the festival was shifted to other cities such as Ruhr. Thousands of people travel to Love Parade which is termed as ‘the greatest amateur circus on earth’. Las Fallas, Valencia, Spain Las Fallas is celebrated in Valencia, Spain during the week leading up to March 19. The festival is a celebration of Valencian tradition. All through the year fallas (350 Valencian communities) construct huge sculptures (2 each) and on the 15th of March the fallas are placed throughout the city and one big street party breaks out. The celebrations continue throughout the week with mobile discos, concerts, fireworks and carnival. Finally on the night of 19th March, all the sculptures get simultaneously burned to a cheering crowd.
Ganeshotsav, India Ganeshotsav is an annual Hindu festival celebrated throughout India as it is the birthday of Lord Ganesha, The Elephant God (Son of Lord Shiva and Parvati). The festival falls between 20 August and 15 September in accordance with Hindu calendar and celebrated throughout India but in the state of Maharashtra it is celebrated in a unique way. Millions of Idols of Lord Ganesha of all shapes and sizes are placed in homes, offices, and markets for 11 days and daily prayers and festivities take place. Finally on the 11th day the idol is immersed in sea. Idols can also be immersed on the second, third, fifth and seventh day. Munich Oktoberfest (Munich Beerfest) The Munich Oktoberfest is celebrated every year in Munich, Germany. The festivities last for 16 days starting late September and running to first Sunday of October, the first and original Oktoberfest was celebrated in Munich, on October 18, 1810, it was held to commemoration the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig. The Munich Oktoberfest or Munich Beerfest is locally known as "Wiesn". Munich Oktoberfest today is literally attended by millions of people who enjoy huge amounts of local food and tons of beer. Dahi Handi Dahi Handi is celebrated in India especially in the state of Maharashtra and Goa. The festival is celebrated to commensurate the birth of Krishna (incarnation of Lord Vishnu). As young Krishna was fond of dahi (butter) he and his friend used to build human pyramid to steal butter which was kept in clay pots hanged from the ceiling. So on this day young boys and girls form human pyramids to break open the Dahi Handi pots hung high above sometimes the pyramids are as high as 10+ levels.
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